Derek Demeter began working at the Emil Buehler Planetarium at Seminole State College of Florida in 2003. By 2007, Mr. Demeter was offered the position of Planetarium Director, and immediately began the process of writing and producing new shows. Over much of the last decade, his passion for teaching people about the wonders of the universe has earned him accolades and recognition from the planetarium industry, his peers, and the community. Derek currently serves as the Past President of the Southeastern Planetarium Association and was president from 2017-2018. Derek also enjoys promoting science beyond the planetarium with his work as an astrophotographer, which earned him pictures seen in NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day website. Derek also enjoys giving talks to venues such as astronomy festivals, local libraries, serving as Observing Chair of the Central Florida Astronomical Society, and simply setting up a telescope at local venues to give the public a truly "out-of-this world" experience.

Al Worden is an American astronaut who was the Command Module Pilot for the Apollo 15 lunar mission in 1971. He is one of only 24 people to have flown to the moon. His companions, David Scott and James B. Irwin, landed on the moon in the Lunar Module, Falcon, while Worden remained on the Endeavour. Falcon remained on the lunar surface for 66 hours and 54 minutes, the longest lunar surface EVA at that time. The orbit of the Endeavour took him further from the landing site than any other Apollo moon mission, earning Worden a place in the Guinness Book of World Records as the “Most isolated human being” during his time alone. Each day at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex a veteran astronaut is available for speaking engagements. These events take place at 11am and at 3pm. Following his address, there will be time to have your photograph taken with Worden with a guide using your camera, or to purchase a photograph by the KSCVC photographer. Worden is being scheduled by the Kennedy Space Center’s Visitor Complex, and there is a possibility that there will be a change in who the astronaut will be.

To learn more about Al Worden you can visit his personal website by clicking here

I am an amateur astronomer, science educator, creator, designer, geek, wife, and mother. I like my nights dark and my skies clear. For the past ten years I’ve played an active role within the Austin Astronomical Society having held several positions on the Executive Board; including Outreach Chair and President. Currently I am the resident astronomer and an adult mentor for the Central Texas Girl Scout’s Astronomy Club. As a Public Advocacy Volunteer with the International Dark Sky Association I help to educate students, and the public, on the threats of light pollution and the importance of protecting our night skies.

In 2016 I founded Earthbound Astronomer, a platform of resources for amateur astronomers, teachers and science communicators. Through it I have had the pleasure of presenting to schools and groups, especially on the topic of Citizen Science, and I have been instrumental in revitalizing astronomy programs in several of Texas’s state parks.

When I’m not on the observing field I can be found outside leading scouts, kayaking the lakes of Central Texas or sparing with my local Jomsborg Viking group.

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Pranvera Hyseni - 23 years old, known as a science popularizer, is the founder and director of “Astronomy Outreach of Kosovo”. Currently, she is an undergraduate student of Geography at the University of Pristina.

Hyseni started showing an interest in astronomy at the early age of three, while Kosovo was still facing the Serbian conflict in the late 90’s. As a young kid, she grew up in a farm, taking advantage of breathtakingly night skies, which captured her attention.

She single-handedly brought the science of astronomy to her community, by developing a very powerful astronomy outreach program. Hyseni managed to create a large network with astronomers around the world, who continuously supported her with equipment and other resources, which she used to provide activities in the whole country of Kosovo. Her organization became internationally recognized, after she was invited as a keynote speaker at some of the largest astronomy conventions and gatherings in different countries throughout the world. Her visits to the top world known observatories, universities and NASA centers, helped her to increase the experience in observing and data collecting.

Her career with public educating expanded further when she was given access to work in various projects with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology of Kosovo and other governmental institutions. She is dedicated to rebuild her nation through the stars, along with her organization team, consisting of two hundred volunteers.

Hyseni was honored by the International Astronomical Union and the Minor Planet Center with an Asteroid being named after her: 45687 Pranverahyseni. She was awarded by the Municipality Assembly of Vushtrri as a distinguished student and became an award winning of the 24Under24 given by the Mars Generation, as a young leader in STEM.

Hyseni recently was selected as one of the five most influential women in Kosovo. Her current efforts, is to develop the first observatory and planetarium in Kosovo. She aims to pursue a Phd in Planetary Sciences and contribute in science with further efforts.

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The Rev. Dr. W. Maynard Pittendreigh is a life-long amateur astronomer. His father often enjoyed telling the story of how he took his family outside one night to watch Sputnik fly overhead (although they later learned that what they saw was the rocket booster, which also entered orbit). As his father tells the story, Maynard was so intrigued that he asked, “What else can we see up there” Maynard has spent his life trying to find out what else he can see “up there.” In these efforts he has earned 57 of the Astronomical League’s observing awards, including the Master Observer’s Award, Gold Level. He is the Executive Secretary of the AL, serves as the coordinator of the Outreach and the Beyond Polaris Award programs, and is one of the AL’s National Observing Program. He is currently a member of the Brevard Astronomical League, located in Florida’s Space Coast, and to the Central Florida Astronomical Society. He is a past member of the Atlanta Astronomy Club, South Florida Amateur Astronomers Association, Southern Cross Astronomical Society, and the Southwest Florida Astronomical Society. He has several published articles in Sky and Telescope, Astronomy Magazine, and the Reflector. Maynard retired earlier this year from his work as a Presbyterian pastor and is pursuing his single hobby, which his wife says is “collecting hobbies.” These include reading, fishing, gardening, birding, stamp collecting, movies, growing bonsai trees, butterfly gardening, and, of course, astronomy.

Al Lamperti has been a member of the Delaware Valley Amateur Astronomers (DVAA) in Philadelphia since 1984 and has held several offices in the DVAA. He has given talks and demonstrations to grade schools (through Project ASTRO), local libraries, Life Long Learning Institutes and has taught Astronomy for Non-Science majors at Chestnut Hill College. When the weather does not permit active observing, he enjoys Citizen Science projects through the Harvard Observatory's glass plate transcription project, Smithsonian Transcription Center and Zooniverse.

As an active observer he has earned a number of certificates from the Astronomical League and is Program Coordinator for the Active Galactic Nuclei, Flat Galaxy and Arp Peculiar Galaxies (North and South) Observing Programs. He currently serves as a member of the Astronomical League’s Observing Program Director Team and is the MERAL Representative.